Only a ship full of music lovers were fortunate enough to sail around paradise while enjoying music by their favorite artists on Jam Cruise this past week. An even smaller chunk of that privileged group got to meet their talented shipmates during this epic festival on the sea… but just one lucky passenger was bestowed upon unreleased music from Derek Vincent Smith in the form of a USB drive.

This act of fan appreciation has the Pretty-Nectar community praising the Pretty Lights Music mastermind, but as the dust is settling, speculation is rising as to how the idealism towards fans can be so skewed on behalf of our fearless leaders, Lorin and Derek, as of late.

After this past December’s Basslights event a polite, but unsettling post by one the the BNF administrators was pinned to the Facebook group, leaving members confused as to the usually fan-oriented artist’s request.

Lorin has asked us very nicely if we could not post any [set lists] from here on out. The reason behind this is that every set list posted is full of inaccuracies. Everything Lorin plays live has been heavily edited, remixed, or mashed up. He doesn’t want people looking at all these lists and thinking he plays these original versions of songs. When he’s actually modifying them heavily.

Please if you are making a setlist from now on I’d like to ask you not to post it online anywhere, especially in BNF. I hope we can all respect Lorin’s wishes.

Before anything else, and in spirit of directing Lorin’s own dogmas on this topic, “think for yourself and question”, I will say after much thought that I get where he is coming from. Picture a punk kid who has been listening to dance music for a year, thinks he’s the bible on Nectar, sees set lists from a tour that carry some repetition, and takes to social media on his mom’s computer to complain about it.

I don’t think that Lorin suddenly hates his fans and doesn’t want them discussing set-lists in a manner that is well-intentioned and nurturing to the Bassnectar community. He’s a smart guy, the request has to have been warranted.

On the offensive…

I redirect your attention to the world of jam bands. Most bands post their own set lists for fans, many times with asterisks specifying teases and unique happenings that unfolded. All of this happens within hours of the show ending, and these guys are playing the most improvised and original sets in all of live music.

No one thinks that Widespread Panic is playing the exact same version of “Chilly Water” night after night. If you truly appreciate Bassnectar, then you should also know that Lorin’s not playing the same “Loco Ono” on a nightly basis either.

The conversation should not have to stop. We have all come together for the love of this music for whatever reason. Maybe we found sanctuary in the heart-palpitating bass despite a painful reality outside the venue doors, or you were welcomed into judgement-free arms for the first time in your life, or maybe you just have always had the time of your life with friends while experiencing live Bassnectar shows.

We want to relive these nights over and over again. We want to remember how we felt as the bass dropped in our favorite song, or to be able to have a better idea of what went down if you were unable to attend the event or afford the ticket.

Asking your dedicated followers to not connect over your music in the form of setlists is not the answer, and I don’t believe that is what Lorin is doing. As the community let’s hold each other accountable to be positive online, to not create issues for the sake of attention and drama, and lastly to to be grateful for the connections and relationships we have gained through the Bassnectar brand.

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I like your point about the jam band culture around setlists. I’m not sure I fully understand why Lorin is asking his fans to stop talking about his shows. It’s arguably more than half of the concert experience. I feel like there has to be something behind the scenes motivating this request.

It’s probably becomes a legal issue with Lorin since he alters and edits whatever he wants at a show. you never know when the wrong person is listening and they have the power to sue… but thats just my take on the subject.

It’s just a bit loony, I always thought that Lorin was more community-oriented than Derek. Then again, Lorin wishes the BNF would disappear and he wants a monarchy on his community. That’s just the way I see it though.